The Chinese secret to living a long life

People are seen outside the Studio City casino in Macau on Oct 27, 2015.

PHOTO: AFP

Ninety-year-old Mr Chan, known around Macau's Coloane Village as "Fat Suk" or "Rich Uncle", has practised the same routine every morning for as long as he can remember. The sprightly and wiry man dons an oversized white T-shirt, slips on his black leather shoes and takes a morning stroll along the Coloane waterfront. It's one of his favourite routes, though sometimes he mixes it up with a walk through the parks or across the black sand of Cheoc Van Beach.

"I spend most of my days outside," said Chan, who has eight children and 10 grandchildren.

"My wife and I sit at the pier and admire the beautiful view. [Our] days pass by in joy and laughter."

Chan attributes his long, happy life to this simple routine (plus a steady diet of rice and garlic) - and it seems this nonagenarian is far from an anomaly. According to the CIA's 2015 World Fact Book, Macau citizens enjoy the 4th-longest life expectancy in the world with an average age of 84.51.

Monaco topped the list at an average of 89.52, while Japan came in 2nd at 84.74 and Singapore came in third at 84.68.